A mathematical model of critical jet heights causing droplets splashing in BOF steelmaking

It is important to understand the physical interaction between top-blown oxygen jet and liquid bath in basic oxygen steelmaking furnaces (BOF). In this study, cold model experiments were carried out to investigate the cavity depth, diameter and the instability at the gas-liquid interface. Images of the cavities were captured by a high-speed video camera to study cavity performances. A modified judging equation of the gas-liquid interface instability was developed by the critical jet flow and the critical jet height at a determined jet diameter. The critical parameters were in good agreement with experimental measurements.